Horses rescued along the Santa Ana River

August 24, 2009 12:01:12 PM PDT

NORCO, Calif. --

Two horses had to be rescued late Sunday night along the Santa Ana River in Norco after their riders determined it was too dangerous and too dark to find a safe way out.The horses were on a small patch of land between the river and a 15-foot slope, which was virtually impossible for the horses to scale. The area is near Corona Avenue and River Drive, close to Rivertrails Park.

The Norco Animal Rescue Team along with the Norco Fire Department, Norco Animal Control and a veterinarian were called in to help.

The veterinarian anesthetized the horses in order to facilitate their rescue. Once they were properly sedated, the horses were placed on what Berwin Hanna of the Norco Animal Rescue Team called "Teflon sleds."

The sleds made it easier to pull the horses up the slope without getting caught on anything. The so-called Teflon sleds were connected to a large animal lift, which pulled on the horses in an even fashion.

The rescue operation began around 11 p.m. Sunday and ended around 3 a.m. Monday morning.